Positive tobacco conveyer



June 13, 1944. F. Dl lANNl y POSITIVE TOBACCO CONVEYER Filed Sept. 30, 1939 ww s. uw mw lNvENToR FRANK Dl |ANN| Patented June 13, 1944 2,351,410 A. l POSITIVE TOBACCO ooNvEYERl Frank Di Ianni, Brooklyn, N. Y., assigner to American Machine and Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey v Application September 30, 1939, Serial No. 297,253

' (c1. 1x1-s4) 17 Claims.

This invention relates to cigarette machines, and more particularly to improvements in tobacco feeding mechanisms used for advancing a stream of tobacco into the rod forming device of continuous rod cigarette machines.

In feeding shredded cigarette tobacco to cigarette rod forming mechanism there is often a tendency on the part of the tobacco to hesitate in its forward travel, particularly as it enters under the rod former tongue, and this tends to create inequalities in the resulting cigarette rod. It is, therefore, the main object of this invention to provide means for positively advancing tobacco to rod forming mechanism and preventing any hesitation or temporary holding up of the tobacco as it travels to the rod forming device.

It is a further object of the invention to provide novel conveying means for feeding shredded cigarette tobacco, and at the same time make it practically impossible for theV tobacco being fed to get displaced because of friction or other causes, and in this manner prevent the formation .of unsatisfactory cigarettes.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved conveyer device supporting elements which engage the tobacco and propel it forward into the cigarette rod formingmechamsm.

It is an additional object of theinvention to provide a cigarette tobacco' feeding conveyer mechanism such as a carded belt conveyer, wherein pins carried thereby will be imbedded in the stream of tobacco and move it forward in compressed condition through the feeding channel to therod forming mechanism without the formation of inequalities or holes due to any hesitation of the tobacco as it enters the former.

The invention also consists in the provision of associated tobacco forwarding means so arranged that one may be moved relative'to another and at the same or faster speed in order to build up a tobacco rod at a, point adjacent the rod former which is greater in density than the stream of tobacco as it enters between the forwarding means.

The invention also contemplates the use of adjustable devices which will make it possible to change the cross section of the stream of tobacco forwarded by the tobacco conveying device so that changes may be made in the compaction of the tobacco fed to the rod former, under the iniluence of a pin belt conveyer which positively propels the tobacco to the former.

' With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists' in cer-- tain combinations and constructions which will be hereinafter fully described, and then specifically set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

Inthe accompanying drawing which forms a part of this specification, and wherein the several reference characters designate the same or like elements:

Figure 1 is a partial side elevation of the improved tobacco conveyer;

Figure 2 is a sectional end elevation taken on line 2--2 of Figure 1 v Figure 3 is a sectional endelevation taken on line 3--3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a partial side elevation of a modied form of my invention; Y

Figure 5 is a sectional end elevation taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a partial sectional plan v iew showing the spaced tobacco stream confining plates forming a part of the tobacco feed chute, and their relationship tothe rod forming tongue.

In the embodiment selected for purposes of illustration my invention is shown as a device attached to and forming a part of a cigarette machine of the general type shown and described in Smith patent, No. 1,892,257, granted December 27, 1932, although it is readily adapted for use on any other rod cigarette machine. f

Referring to the drawing, the entire shower of tobacco 'IV falling through vchute I0, is angularly intercepted bythe inclined upper run of belt II traveling over a support 25. This belt and plates I2 are spaced vertically from each other and comprise a compressing chute or trough through which the tobacco T, resting on belt II, is advanced towards the rod forming mechanism designated generally` at R. In the embodimentillustrated plates I2 form a part of chute ID and extend downwardly therefrom, as shown in Figures 1 and 6, above belts Hand-2U. Plates I2 are so locatedjthatthey provide a vlongitudinal slot through which tobacco propelling elements, such as pins I3, which maybe either rounded 0r blunt on their ends, xedto a conveyer I4, projecty and 'engage the tobacco. Belt II is-shown converging towards plates I2 in order to vcompress the vtobacco progressively as it movesl through the trough. v

Conveyer I4 runs over a pulley I5, mounted on frame F, and is suitably driven from the drive of theV cigarette machine (not shown). The conveyer' illustrated is an endless belt which is trained over idler pulleys ISI, I6,,II and I8, all` of which, including the drivingpulley I5, are mounted on shafts I9 supported by the machine of chute Ii] (Figure 1).

frame F. In order to prevent tobacco from working up between belt I4 and the top of plates I 2, the plates have been bent up towards the wall Belt I4 is so located with respect to the mat of tobacco, that pins I3 thereon move into engagement with the tobacco, with a movement substantially perpendicular to said mat of tobacco beginning at that point where plates I2 have been turned up toward chute I0 (Fig. 1). In this manner the pins engage and aid in advancing the tobacco stream, and thereby prevent hesitation on the part of the tobacco, the formation of holes and other irregularities in the mat which would be carried through the machine and result in the production of `'unsatisfactory cigarettes. The action of the pins 'I3 also tends to eliminate jamming of the tobacco at the paper contact point, or that point where the tobacco leaves the belt II and is deposited on the paper web P.

The rod forming tape running over roller 2 I, is driven by a tape wheel of conventional type, such for instance as shown in Rundell Patent No. 1,851,264, granted March 29, 1932, and forwards the cigarette paper under the-lower run of belt tape 20 may be driven at the same speed so that the compressed tobacco stream or mat T and the cigarette paper P haven the same speed when coming together and whenl entering the tongue 22 of the rod former. However, if desired, one or more of the belts maybe driven at different speeds. For example, if belts Il and I4 be driven at the same speed, though faster than belt 20, the tobacco will be compacted axially in the direction of its advancing movement between plates I2 and beltV 20.

The pins I3 on belt I4 are provided for the purpose of engagingr the tobacco stream or mat on the belts II and 20 andforwarding it to the rod former with a positive forwarding manner in order to overcome any likelihood on the part of the tobacco to hesitate in its forward movef ment. Pins I3 are soarranged with respect to their supporting belt I4 and belt 20 that they extend towards and move `closely adjacent tape 26 with a slight running clearance. This arrangement insures uniform and ypositive control by belt I4 over the tobacco stream advancing to the rod former. y l e Referring to Figure 1, it will be observed that the pins I3 move 'into the tobacco witha movement that is substantially perpendicular to the tobacco mat in order not to form holes or tear the mat, and that Yat the point of exit of the pins adjacent the rod former, the pins are also moved with a similar movement for a like reason. Plates I2 also act as strippers.4 to prevent any tobacco from adhering to the propelling members, as they move out of engagement with the tobacco mat.

The tobaccostream, atl all times during its advance from the'chute I0 Vto the rod forming tongue, is confined laterally by means ofside guide plates 23 and 24 (Figures 2,y and 3) which may be mounted in Va manner similar to that clisclosed inV United States Patent No. 1,998,146, granted April 16, 1935, to Smith.

Although the pins of the carded belt conveyer I4 are usually arranged substantially at right angles to the belt, in the modification shown in `Figures 4 and 5, pins I3 may be inclined with respect to the belt I4. Adjacent the exit end of the compression trough formed by belt I4 and tape 20, filler plates 21 are secured to plates I2 in order to make it possible to adjust the cross section of the trough and control the tobacco moving therethrough. In this manner it is possible to provide for sidewise or lateral compaction of the tobacco filler as it moves to the rod former tongue 22. In order to provide for adjusting plates I2 to and from tape 20, studs 28 are secured to the plates as shown in Figure 5, and xed to the studs is a bar 29, which has connected thereto an adjusting screw 30. A spring 32 bearing against bar 29 and bracket 3|, which supports the adjusting device, maintains plates I2 in proper position relative to tape 2D. In order to compensate for the variation in height when plates I2 are raised and lowered, ller plates 21 are secured to plates I2 and move between side guides 23, 24 (Figs. 4 and 5).

When plate I2 is lowered, plate 21 will descend between the side walls of the channel and compact the filler therein. When plate I2 is raised, plate 2'I will prevent the filler from escaping over the side walls 23 of the channel.

Under some conditions it may be advisable to adjust the rod former tongue vertically in con-V junction with the plates I2, and hence a mount which may have a support lug 33 having an clon,- gated slot 35 for raising and lowering theA tongue on the support. v

The invention above described may be varied in construction Within thescope of the claims, for the particular device, selected to illustrate the invention, is but one of many possible concrete embodiments of the same. It is not, therefore, to be restricted to the precise details of the structure shown and described.

What is claimed is:

l. In a cigarette machine, the combination with a traveling web having an extended portion for carrying tobacco, of means for. guiding a shower of tobacco onto'said web, spaced'members positioned above said web and forming therewith a trough for the tobacco on said web, spaced tobacco stream conning plates positioned above said spaced members and web to form .therewith an elongated trough substantiallyfenclosed on all sides, and tapered flat members iixedly connected to said confining plates and" located beneath said plates and in a plane abovel said web, said tapered flat members being, constructed and arranged to project downwardly, between said spaced plates to progressively compact tobacco passing through saidtrough.

2. In a cigarette machine, the combination with a traveling web having an extendedportion, of means for guiding a shower of tobacco onto said web, a slotted compression device positioned above and tilted at one end toward saidsweb, said compression device being constructed and arranged to coact with said web to progressively compress tobacco restingv thereon.v ajtraveling member located above said device and extending along the extended length of a substantial Dor' tion of said web, and means on said member Dro.- jecting through said 'slot for propellingA tobacco onsaidweb. Hf l 3. In a cigarette machine, the ,combination with a traveling web travelingA over a pathhav` ing at least Eine-elongated portion for conveying tobacco, of means A'for guidin'ga shower or -tobacco onto said web; laterallyv spacedA plates positionedv above said web'fancl lformingftherewitl'i a tobacco lcompressing trough for tobacco' resting on said web, anv endless'conveye'r made of fa ilexible material l'located above said" plates and extending Yalong the length of at least oneof said elongated portions, and a plurality'of tobacco engaging and propelling velements `vm'ounted lon said conveyer, said elements being--c'onst'ructed and arranged to projectintothe tobacco bns'aid web and move it' forward throu'ghsaid'trough'in timed relation tothe moven'ientl of said Lweb'fi'n orderv to maintainv the *stream 'of 'tobacco thus formedlsubstantially uniformjin cross section and longitudinal extent'.l

4. Inga `cigarette -i"naf' hine,l the combinationj'of traveling conveying lmeans for'ca'rrying tobacco over an elongated path of `travel, of-'a chute for guiding a shower of tobacco onto saidmeans, tobacco compressing mechanism positioned above and tilted'toward said' means for progressively compacting the tobacco as it travels VVValong on said means, an endless flexibleltraveling member positioned above'said means and extending along said means for a substantial portion of the elongated path ofV travel of vvsaid means, and projections connected to said-"member'for engaging and propelling tobacco f'onsaid means to form a uniformly compacted cigarette rod; f

5. Inv a cigarette machine, the combination with an endless belt Iconveyer a'da'ptedftoy move at a given speed, of Vmeans for guiding shower of tobacco onto saidl beltfconvey'en-aj second nbelt conveyer located vabove said irstnaine'd belt c'on-i veyer, tobacco propellingvmembers 'fixed to said second-named belt f conveyer:- and`-`-projecting Aa substantial distance irito the tobacco on'said'iirstl named belt conveyer-'and travelingtherewitm and means coacting simultaneously with saidbelt conveyers for compressingsaid 'tbaccoi' f 6. In a cigarette machineg'th'e' vco'r'nbination with a rod forming tongue, lof traveling -web means having at least one portion thereof travel# Y ing along a'substantially straight path, means for guiding a continuous shower of tobacco to said traveling web means to form an elongated stream of tobacco ller, stationary members for gradually compressing said tobacco on said traveling web means, a traveling conveyer having a substantially straight portion spaced above that portion of said traveling web means having a straight path of travel and traveling in the same direction as said traveling web means, and a plurality of tobacco propelling elements connected to said conveyer entering into the tobacco on said web at a portion substantially adjacent to the means for guiding a shower of tobacco on said web and withdrawing from said elongated stream of tobacco ller at a portion substantially adjacent to said rod forming tongue.

7. In a cigarette machine, the combination with an endless traveling web, of means for guiding a continuous shower of tobacco onto said web, means for compressing the tobacco on said web into a substantially uniform mat, elements projecting through said compressing means and traveling along a substantially straight path for a portion of their travel for engaging and propelling said tobacco, said elements being so constructed and arranged that the tobacco mat is engaged thereby without disturbing the regularity of the tobacco forming said mat,

8. In a cigarette machine, the combination with a` traveling web, of means for guiding a shower 'of tobacco onto said web, a tobacco compressing member located above said web, a conveyer positioned above said web, a plurality of pins secured to'said conveyer and arranged to engage 'and propel tobacco beneath said member, and means mounting said conveyer so that the pins ymove into contact with said tobacco in a direction alongthe axis of the respectivepins approximately at right angles withl the plane of said member without pulling or tearing the tobacco on said web.

i '9=."Ina' cigarette machine, the combination with a traveling conveyer, of means for guiding a shower of tobaccoV onto said conveyer, a tobacco compressing member located above said conveyer, a-rod formingtongue, a second conveyer mounted'abovesaid member, a plurality of pins secured to said second-named conveyer and arranged to` engagev and propel tobaccoA on said first-named conveyer, means positioning said second-named conveyer for travel above said memberjand means mounting said second-named conveyer so that said pins move into contact substantially perpendicular to the tobacco on said rst-named conveyer at the point of introduction of tobacco beneath said member,and means mounting said second-named conveyer adjacent said rod forming tongue so that said member acts as a stripper to prevent the removal of"tobacco from beneath said member as said tobacco is feciv to said tongue. v

i 10. Ina cigarette machine, the combination withv af lower traveling tobacco conveying device, 'of '.achute for guiding a continuous shower of tobaccor onto said device, an endless conveyer having'a portion traveling along a substantially straight path of travel located above said devi'ceiand` coacting with said lower conveying` de vice, a compression member coacting with said device= and conveyer to compress the tobacco on said device, tobacco propelling velements projecting into the tobacco through said compression member carried by said conveyer and assistinggsaid device in advancing said tobacco, a rod-.forming tongue located adjacent one end of said member, and means Vfor adjusting said tongue and member for movement to and from said device.

11. In a cigarette machine having a rod forming tongue, the combination with an endless conveyer system having at least one portion thereof traveling along a substantially straight path, of a chute for guiding a shower of tobacco onto said conveyer system, tobacco propelling mechanism having a portion constructed and arranged to travel along a substantially straight path located above said system, a plurality of tobacco propelling elements secured to said mechanism and traveling therewith for projecting into the tobacco on said conveyer system to maintain it uniform as it travels along said conveyer system, and compression members coacting with said mechanism and system, said members comprising an elongated plate extending above said system and spaced therefrom, and side guides through which tobacco is moved by said system and mechanism, and means for withdrawing said elements from the tobacco ller mat without disturbing the uniforming thereof before it enters a rod forming tongue.

12. In a cigarette machine, the combination with a rod forming mechanism, of a conveying device for feeding tobacco to said mechanism, tobacco compressing members coacting with said devicej e oenveyer positioned. abete enti` ertende in g. along; said-device. at plurality or tobeeee en: gaging and. propelling elements Seoiir d; te. ggd oonveyer anderreriged. to eSSiSt in- .eveneing to: beeoo on. Seid devine. .to Seid meolieriieiri, and means for mounting Seideonveyerabove Seid. ie= viee at the point .oi entry enrldielrgrge of tor beeeo irorn `.Seid .device seid .nieenebeing oorif Strnoted. eind4 eirrenged` that. the tob,

Y oonveyerso that thepins nieve into ooritaetwitlif Seid. tobeeoewithout digturbingtlie uniformity of the iiiler and withdrawrrorrrseid liiler; et angle So aS not, to piili. or. teer tlie iiller before it enterS therotliernier.

ll-V lnY a. cigarette maoliine. thev combination with endleSS oonveyer. .adapted to travel at e given Speed, of meant :for guiding tobacco onto. Seid toni/evene Seoonrl oonveyer ioogteclebove and extending along Serti .rStenetrned oonveyer and traveling et a` .faster rate of` speed. than the irSt-rierned .oo nvever, tobagoo propelling members fixed tosetid.. Segond-named oonveyer enel `liroieotirig e Snbgtantie distance. into the tobeooe.. ori Said ..iirSt-vngrned `conveyerwhile treveng inety .SiibStgntially rectilinear path.. and means Coetoting with said eoriveyers for compress.- ing Seid tobacco. l i

l5, In et (sigarette maohinehaving a. rod .forme irigA torigileltlie.oornbination with traveling web meeriS. having a portion traveling alonga Sub..- stentielly Straight tintin.y of a vdeviee, for deposit..- .ing a. Shower of tobgoeoon sgidv traveling web meanS, means., rfor eornpreSSing said tobacco 'I elongated adju ISeid member.. in l idft beooofQ-"Progeliin Atob'eeoo iorweril rodfor .ineterieue,. .eStriprerlooeteil edieoent. Seisitongile, retrieving tobeeeo f rorn Seid. tiroteo.tions.-y le. oi. erette, ineen' elthe. eonibinetion with en endieSS. e vere ed tedto travel at e Seid.- iiretfnerrie'l strbStegtieilv reet eer 12th.2 endnieeriS Cegeting-Witli Seid .evere .fer eorririreeeirig. eeisi toba on.. oigerette nieeliine, Ltire Combination with.' ein. enrlieee eenverer oi ineens, for (feeding.

tobgeoof onto. Seidyoorivev'er,. Segond oonveyer ioeeted Viibove S. iirStfnerneCl eonveyen. .an

. A.PreSrSiorirnernber nrodlnel Slot extending along ,or irioiiriting4 .Seid member il Segond-nemesi eonveyer end. ebove eef firSt: ber heving et. lengt4 per-tion positioned at a Sheltie-11,519 vv'th r et to Seid .Segond-.named eontever to. eerriprese the tobeeoo 'on said, firstnernefl eonvetfer e. plurality of. toblgeoo propelling mgmbers szeurzjgge,` to saiq `eccnirgclfrg;me@ conveyr 1y through Seid. Slotin into Seidtobaeeooom.-

. d; eegoridfnamed e n, veYer-i e rod forming tongue vetfiitieent Seid oom.: PreSeion rnernber eonStrgetesl enti arranged toref oeive tobeeeo edverigesi by Seid. first and second navmed'vrconveyvers, g, d megan; for adjustably mounting Seid tongire Vend member for vertieei movement. to en@ .from geld first-named converter.

DI IANNI,

eine@ torri/.ever A.Seid rnern- 

